Recently the nice people from Lands End emailed me to see if they could send me a Sport Squall Parka for Sean for review. Of course I said yes, because I have a shameless affection for all things Lands End.
When it came in the mail, Sean immediately went to work trying it on and checking it out. He gave it two thumbs up and declared it “awesome.” He was especially impressed with the number of pockets and that they are soft on the inside. I was impressed with the fact that is a great looking and super sturdy jacket.
But also, the thing that always impresses me about Lands End products is their attention to small details, like the seam of reflective material on the hem, and pockets and drawstring pulls in all the right places. I declare this jacket awesome also.
The only downside for me is the price. It retails around $70 and it is worth every penny, except for the fact that our family is watching every penny. And given that we seldom have a squall here in Texas and that I don’t have more children who could wear this jacket in years to come (excuse me while I weep into my coffee – okay, I’m back) the $70 price tag makes me flinch just a little.
On the other hand, Sean wanted to wear it to school the next day when it was 85 degress, so maybe we will get a lot of wear out of it.
Pam says:
So when you do a review, does that mean you can’t keep it? That’s just teasing.
I also love Land’s End. I have some things on order for Christmas…the adorable knit dresses with leggings for my grand daughter. The coats though are a bit pricey for me…I won’t spend over $40 on a coat for kids, even here in blustery Ohio.
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Nelson's Mama says:
I’ve been ordering Land’s End coats for my girls for years; I never thought they were that high compared to other brands – they always were able to wear them more than one winter, then they are passed down to both of my nieces.
I’ve even have one – ordered the Big Kids size and saved a few bucks!
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I guess expensive is relative to your budget and how much wear you get out of it. It’s a great quality coat for sure.
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Sarah at themommylogues says:
I’m still kicking myself for not doing Lands End backpacks this year. The ones I bought already have holes and the trim is all scraped up. 2 1/2 months into the school year.
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Maria says:
I agree with all of the above. I’ve gotten Land’s End winter coats for my daughter in the past but this year I don’t know… I’m watching pennies too, and it’s hard to justify that much money on a child’s coat.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Marie says:
We could definitely use one of those in upstate NY! Nice!
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Ann G says:
Land’s End usually gets a big thumbs up in our house, too. My problem is like yours…kind of hard to justify the expense when they only get to wear it for a few weeks of the winter. It was a lot easier to justify when we were traveling up to Canada for hockey tournaments for That Kid a couple of times a year! Layers and hooded sweat shirts make a lot more since for us in North Texas!
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Grace says:
Another Lands’ End fan here! I always try to buy my kids’ fall/winter coats off-season in the the Overstock section. Their products are just so well worth the investment because they hold up well and don’t look so “used” by the end of the season. You know?
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Rachel says:
Be looking for a box in the mail!
Thank you.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
rrmama says:
Oh my gosh I love Land’s End! I still have shirt I bought from them I kid you not about 15 years ago and it’s still one of my favorites and it still looks just like it did when I bought it. But I am like you $70 is a bit pricey and I have two boys.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Jamie says:
Be thankful your child is so enthusiastic about his coat. Every cold morning is a battle to get my child to wear his. I have to shrink down below the dashboard in carpool as he is the only child marching defiantly in to school with out a jacket. All the other parent’s must be thinking…bad mommy. oh dear.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Leigh says:
Land’s End makes really good products. It is a bit pricey for a fall/winter coat, but it can be worn for YEARS. I’m working on my second Land’s End parka (bottom temp -25degrees F). My first Land’s End parka lasted 7 years and cost 100 dollars. That is with a minimum of 4 months a year of wearing it.
For kids, I don’t think Land’s End is worth it since they outgrow things so fast, but for adults, Land’s End usually winds up to be cheaper when you take into account how many years of usage you will end up getting out of it.
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Janette says:
I’m a HUGE Land’s End fan as well. My kids always grow out of LE stuff long before it shows much wear. You’ll probably find happiness in donating it to someone in a colder climate once Sean can’t fit into it anymore.
I use the $1 per wear rule. Spend $70, wear it 70 times or more, it’s worth it.
I’m just glad that personal rule wasn’t in place the day I purchased my wedding dress.
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
happy geek says:
A gorgeous coat.
We usually buy whatever we can find at the consignment store, but I will certainly be looking for one of those next year. Round these parts a coat like that would be worn at least 5 months of the year and would be worth all 7000 pennies.
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
~*~Jennifer~*~ says:
I like Land’s End. Sometimes you can find a good deal over there… just today I bought 2 dresses that were $7.99 each for my daughter for next winter. She won’t wear it out, then I’ll be able to re-sell it for probably that at a consignment shop. YEAH!! Enjoy your good deal. Ü
October 24th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Jenny 867-5309 says:
I love Land’s End jackets! But honestly have a hard time paying that kind of price for a jacket for the boys. They’ll have it tore up in a month and then I’m having to replace it.
Maybe when they get a little older and care about what their clothes look like. Ha!
In the meantime…think it will fit me?
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LE makes these jackets little boy tough, so I wouldn’t worry about it getting torn up. Now if LE would include a GPS feature to keep it from getting lost…
October 24th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Lisa B. says:
LOVE their stuff. We bought school uniform shirts there that lasted two or three years. They don’t fade and they have a long sleeved polo that is great for cooler months.
October 24th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Wendy says:
I’m with you a hundred percent. I can only justify the off season clearance rack. Especially for the kids! (And I live in northern Wisconsin!)
October 24th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Tara says:
I love Land’s End stuff even though I’ve never purchased a single stitch of it from LE itself, when it hits the second hand shops I snatch it up (usually for under $10).
If you don’t have a family to “hand me down” to I happen to know someone with kids just under Sean’s age…
October 24th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Steph says:
If you can plan ahead, you can buy them on sale from the previous season. I spent $25 last year, end of season~ on a Land’s End Squall for my 2 year old, and we love it too!
October 24th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Laura J. says:
Big Land’s End fan here, too … keep in mind you might be able to sell an outgrown item at a resale shop or on eBay. Classic design and great construction … their stuff just doesn’t wear out!
October 25th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Shirley Cohen says:
Thank you for taking them up on the offer! Pretty smart company, I learned more ‘truth’ about their products than a whole lot of $$$ could get out of advertising, will call for their catalog today! and I’m really glad Sean got a jacket out of it! All the time Antique Mommy spends on the computer paid off!
October 25th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Jennifer says:
I love me some Lands End. It is the ONLY brand of swimsuit I will purchase. Keep in mind, it is still a swimsuit, but it has the best chance of keeping everything in place than any other brand I have tried.
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That is so true. LE swimming suits are worthy every penny.
October 25th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Christine says:
Huge LandsEnd fan out here in SoCal. not much use for a squall parka though…sniff! But I love to shop their clearance pages…great deals on such good quality stuff!
October 27th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Megan (FriedOkra) says:
We got both kids the squall jackets this season. They cost a little less bcs the kids are a bit younger than Sean, and I got them during a promo deal. I LOVE them because they’re ultra light but super warm and cozy. Best part is I know since they’re from Land’s End they’ll last and last. I bought gender-neutral colors so the little guy can wear the bigger coat when he gets older and the littler coat, after a quick run through the washer that will leave it looking brand new, will sell like a tiny little hot-cake at my spring garage sale for good money. Very, very good stuff.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pm